News Reports for December 7, 2012

New 'swine flu' cases in Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 6: The Ministry of Health (MoH) has discovered new swine flu cases in the country, (Snip) the ministry expects the spread of H1N1 virus during winter, just like the other kind of seasonal flu. (Snip) the ministry has given vaccine to about 50,000 over the last two months to protect them against the disease.

He said the increasing number of swine flu cases is observed not only in Kuwait but also in other countries. (Snip) the ministry has taken all the necessary precautionary measures to prevent spread of the disease, stressing that the current number does not exceed the normal rate.

(Snip) Director of Sabah Health District Dr Adel Al-Asfoor had earlier confirmed news published earlier on the discovery of two swine flu cases. He said these patients have been isolated while those who had close contact with them were given proper treatment and 10-days vacation. http://www.arabtimesonline.com...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Dec 07, 2012 at 06:53:47 AM UTC

India: 3 test positive for H1N1; schools being checked (Maharashtra)

PUNE: Three people, including a student from a school in Pune Camp, tested positive for swine flu in the city on Thursday. As many as 53 students from different schools have tested positive for the contagion so far since April this year.

Health officials are checking up the schools where these children study. In 2009, scores of students suffered the infection triggering closure of many institutions. The health officials does not want to take chances now.

"We are keeping track of every student found infected with swine flu. The schools where they study are asked to initiate all precautionary measures to prevent the spread. The three-year-old child who was found positive on Thursday is also a student of a school in Camp. He is being treated at the Naidu Hospital," (Snip). Continued: http://timesofindia.indiatimes...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Dec 07, 2012 at 06:59:30 AM UTC

US: Pueblo reports first flu hospitalization of season (Colorado)

PUEBLO, Colo. - Health officials in Pueblo announced the first case of a person being hospitalized with the flu Thursday. The patient is a middle-aged woman, said Sarah Joseph of the Pueblo city health department.

"This year, people with flu symptoms are getting quite ill, thus it is important to get an annual flu shot to protect yourself from the influenza virus, it is not too late. Vaccine this year is a good match to the flu illness and is available at doctors' offices, pharmacies and grocery stores around Pueblo," Dr. Christine Nevin-Woods, the public health director at the Pueblo City-County Health Department said in a news release.

(Snip)

If you haven't received your flu shot yet, the CDC says now is the time to make sure you're protected. The agency says flu season is ramping up early this year - for the first time in almost a decade. (Snip) H3N2 is the predominant strain this year. It's generally associated with a severe flu season. "The strains we are seeing suggest this could be a bad flu year," (Snip) "But this year's vaccine is an excellent match with the influenza that's circulating."

(Snip) Acting Director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, says current activity is highest in the South. "We're seeing the highest level in the southeastern and south central region of the United States," she said. "Five states had high levels: Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas. Moderate levels of illness have been recorded in Missouri and Georgia."

The CDC says about 123 million doses of the vaccine have already been distributed to health care providers, and about 112 million people have already been vaccinated.

Among doctors, nurses and pharmacists, about 80% to 90% have already been vaccinated, Frieden said, along with almost half of all pregnant women. The number of children being vaccinated has also increased. Continued: http://kwgn.com/2012/12/06/pue...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Dec 07, 2012 at 07:11:25 AM UTC

India: Bird flu ruled out as cause of death of kites, cranes in Amreli (Gujarat)

Bird flu has been ruled out as the cause of death of three kites and 27 demoiselle cranes at Victor dam in Amreli's Rajula taluka last weekend even as two more kites and a crane were found dead in the area on Wednesday.

"The preliminary report of the Animal Husbandry department has ruled out bird flu as the cause of death," said J K Makwana, DCF at Rajula, adding that they suspect poisoning, deliberate or otherwise, as the cause of death.

Migratory cranes (which come to the Indian subcontinent each winter from Mongolia and China) and kites had been found dead on Saturday near the salt pans in Victor dam area of Rajula, where Gujarat Heavy Chemicals is based.

Wildlife experts had feared bird flu may have killed the birds. Continued: http://www.indianexpress.com/n...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Dec 07, 2012 at 07:16:50 AM UTC

US: Flu outbreak shutters STAB Upper School (Virginia)

St. Anne's-Belfield School officials have canceled classes for Friday at the Upper School following an influenza outbreak on the Greenway Rise campus, officials said Thursday.

Forty to 50 students missed school or left early because of illness Monday and Tuesday, and the number roughly doubled to 80 the following day with six Upper School faculty members also affected, (Snip) Affected students and faculty complained of headache, fever, cough and upset stomach, he said.

(Snip) the ranks of ill students and faculty members increased "significantly" Thursday, prompting the decision to call off classes for grades 9-12. Enrollment at the Upper School is 351, according to school spokeswoman Kristen Cleason.

All games and sports practices scheduled for Friday also have been canceled. (Snip) "We also encourage students and faculty with influenza-like illness to stay home and away from group settings," Lourie wrote in the email.

The school's housekeeping staff will spend Friday cleaning the Greenway Rise campus, according to the news release. Continued: http://www.dailyprogress.com/n...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Dec 07, 2012 at 07:40:21 AM UTC

India: 3 more H1N1 deaths in city, taking toll to 12 this year (Tamil Nadu)

COIMBATORE: In the last one week three separate cases of H1N1 deaths have been reported in the city. With the most recent deaths, the number of H1N1 deaths reported in district hospitals has increased to 12. While two were patients at a private hospital, one succumbed at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital.

Armugham (65), a resident of Edappady in Salem district and Karupannan (58) from Peelamedu, both undergoing treatment at the GKNM died on December 3 and December 5 respectively. According to the hospital authorities, Armugham, who was a block development officer, was admitted at a private hospital in Erode where he stayed for a week and was later discharged. However, a few days later his health deteriorated again and the hospital referred him to the GKNM hospital in Coimbatore.

He had diabetes for more than ten years and had undergone open heart surgery. Though he was normal, he developed dry cough and breathing difficulties. He was admitted at the hospital on November 29. He had to be put on ventilator and despite treatment he died on December 3.

In another case Karupannan, who was a principal at CIT Sandwich Polytechnic died at the hospital despite treatment. He was suffering from hypertension and bypass surgery and was admitted at the hospital with respiratory problems on November 29.

Similarly Sadasivam (42), a native of Bhavani Taluk in Erode died at the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital on December 5, despite treatment. Continued: http://timesofindia.indiatimes...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Dec 07, 2012 at 07:55:30 AM UTC

Canada: Two influenza deaths reported in London area (Ontario)

The Middlesex-London Health Unit has reported two influenza-related deaths. In its latest influenza surveillance report, the health unit said in the week from Tuesday, Nov. 27 to Monday, two people died among the laboratory-confirmed influenza A cases.

(Snip)

There were 26 new confirmed influenza A cases over the week, (Snip) including 17 that required hospitalization. Three of the hospitalized cases are associated with a flu outbreak in an acute-care hospital.

As (of) Monday, there have been 41 lab-confirmed influenza A cases and no influenza B cases this flu season in Middlesex-London.

Overall in the province, Public Health Ontario reported that influenza activity continued to increase for the week of Nov. 18 to 24, which is the most recent information available. Continued: http://metronews.ca/news/londo...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Dec 07, 2012 at 08:18:30 AM UTC

US: Ohio flu strain is rearing its head

ZANESVILLE - Many people already are feeling that tired, run-down, achiness brought on by the flu. Within the past week, 10 to 12 people, mostly adults have been hospitalized for these symptoms, said David Davis, RN and emergency and trauma services director with Genesis HealthCare System.

"Some say it's hitting early, but it all depends," Davis said. "Two years ago we saw a lot, hundreds, and last year there wasn't much flu at all. The season usually starts in the fall and lasts until the spring, peaking in January and February."

Symptoms of the flu include aches, cough, upper respiratory problems, fever, headache and fatigue, he said. Continued: http://www.zanesvilletimesreco...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Fri Dec 07, 2012 at 08:56:24 AM UTC

16 Thousand Chickens Esophageal Bird Flu

December 7, 2012
http://www.batampos.co.id/07/1...
Tanjungbatu, Indonesia:   Sixteen thousand laying hens in Batu 8, Tanjungbatu West, were destroyed by fire on Thursday (6/12).  The reason is that the death of these chickens were positive for bird flu or avian influenza (AI).  To anticipate the outbreak of bird flu, action was also taken by destroying dozens of chickens, dozens of eggs, and chicken manure that were buried.  Furthermore, the location of livestock in Batu 8 West Kundur were sterilized by spraying gas CO and sprinkling lime.  Head of Department of Animal Husbandry and Agricultural District Karimun Amran Sahidid admitted that the deaths of 16 thousand laying hens in Batu 8 West Tanjungbatu was from bird flu.  This was based on the results of the research workers in the field.  

"Three days earlier, there were 400 chickens that died suddenly.  But upon inspection, the results were negative," said Amran.

Head of Division (Head) Department of Animal Husbandry Riau Islands Province drh Honis Mandri said the deaths of 16 thousand laying hens in Kundur was because of the bird flu virus.  This is according to the results of rapid testa on Wednesday (5/12) with positive results of bird flu.

"They were destroyed by fire and buried.  Certainly no more people were in and out of the cage, even whole chicken eggs, chicken manure was buried," said Honis.

Honis insisted there was nothing to be covered on the discovery of a second case in the District of Kundur this time.  If covered, it is feared that it will cause unrest among the people.  

"Certainly these cases of bird flu have been handled professionally and locations are blocked," he explained.

Honis asked all farmers to be vigilant and always coordinate with livestock and security officers.  Also hygiene at farm locations continue to be improved.

"Hopefully, the cases are not wide spread.  Only we expect cleanliness to be maintained in the farms,"he said.  

From information collected, bird flu cases have occurred in previously 2006.  At that time, the number of laying hens with bird flu were around 600 birds.  So this indicated bird flu that was directly related to the anticipation.  Even the Animal Husbandry Department participated by bringing Veterinary Disease Investigation Laboratory Team from the Center (BPP-Vet), Bukit Tinggi.   To ensure, all poultry and egg production, including chicken manure has been destroyed so there is no need to worry about this anymore.  Ranches were isolated to avoid spreading the virus.  


"I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man."  Thomas Jefferson

---

by: History Lover @ Fri Dec 07, 2012 at 23:28:08 PM UTC

Please post new news stories ...

...to News Reports for December 8, 2012

Thank you!

---

by: AlohaOR @ Sat Dec 08, 2012 at 05:06:48 AM UTC